Use It or Lose It: Faithful Stewardship on the Kingdom

Use It or Lose It: Faithful Stewardship in the Kingdom Series: What He Said: The Parables of Jesus Sermon #15

Matthew 25:14–30 ESV

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Introduction

There’s an old saying: "If you don’t use it, you lose it." We see this truth in many areas of life—athletics, skills, even our health. But this principle also applies to our spiritual lives. Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents to emphasize that God entrusts us with resources, gifts, and opportunities—and He expects us to use them for His glory.

Jesus was teaching His disciples about the Kingdom of God and the reality of His return. The question isn’t just, "What do you have?" but "What are you doing with it?" Are you maximizing what God placed in you, or are you letting fear, complacency, or excuses keep you from stepping into your purpose?

📖 1 Corinthians 4:2 – “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”

Transition: That is the first challenge of this parable . . .

Recognize What You Have Been Entrusted With (vv. 14-18)

Matthew 25:14–18 ESV

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

Jesus describes a man going on a journey who entrusts his servants with talents. He gives one servant five talents, another two talents, and another one talent, each according to their ability.

Exposition & Context:

A "talent" was a significant amount of money, equivalent to about 20 years’ wages—a fortune! But this parable isn’t just about money; it’s about all that God has given us—our time, talents, resources, and opportunities.

In the first-century Jewish economy, a master’s servants were trusted stewards who were expected to increase what was given to them. This expectation reflects God’s call for us to be productive in His kingdom.

This means that what you have is not by accident—it was given by divine design!

Cross-reference: James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”

Word Study: 'Entrusted' (παραδίδωμι - paradidōmi)

This word means to give over, to commit, to place something valuable into another’s care.

God has not just given us gifts casually—He has entrusted them to us with expectation!

Illustration: LeBron James

Imagine if LeBron James never picked up a basketball. Imagine if he had the talent but never practiced, never developed his game, never stepped on the court. The world would have never seen his greatness!

And if that sounds tragic—how much more tragic is it when God’s people never use what He has placed in them? There’s kingdom greatness inside of you, but if you never step out, if you never develop what God gave you, the world will never see the impact you were born to make!

Application: So What?

Identify your talents – What has God placed in your hands? Gifts, resources, influence, skills? Recognizing your God-given potential is the first step toward faithful stewardship.

Understand your responsibility – Luke 16:10 says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.” God is watching how you handle what you have now before He entrusts you with more.

Commit to serving with your gifts – Your talent is not just for you; it is to serve the Kingdom of God and others. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

Practical Challenge: Ask yourself, What is one talent God has given me that I am underutilizing? Commit to using it this week!

Energetic Transition:

God didn’t put gifts in you to sit idle! He gave you a voice—use it! He gave you resources—invest them! He gave you wisdom—share it!

Look at somebody and tell them: "Don’t sit on it—steward it!"

Because when the Master returns, He won’t just ask what you had… He’ll ask what you DID with what you had!

Transition: The second challenge in the parable urges to. . .

Invest and Multiply What God Has Given You (vv. 19-23)

Matthew 25:19–23 ESV

19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

After a long time, the master returns to settle accounts. The first two servants presented a return on investment, and the master responded with words we all long to hear:

"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master!"

Exposition & Context:

Faithfulness is not about maintaining—it’s about multiplying.

Jesus doesn’t praise the servants for keeping their talents safe; He praises them for increasing them.

Luke 19:13 – “Engage in business until I come.” Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

Faithfulness doesn’t lead to retirement—it leads to greater responsibility in God’s kingdom!

Word Study: 'Faithful' (πιστός - pistos)

This word carries the idea of being trustworthy, dependable, and fully committed.

Faithfulness is not passive—it is active obedience in the small things.

Illustration: The Pop Quiz & The Final Exam

A teacher once told her students, “There will be a pop quiz sometime this semester, but I won’t tell you when.” Some students slacked off, but those who studied daily were ready.

But let’s take it deeper—what if the pop quiz was really the FINAL EXAM?

Some of us are living like we’ve got all the time in the world, but we don’t know when our final exam is coming!

Jesus is coming back, and when He does, there will be no time to cram, no time to catch up—it will be time to settle accounts!

Cross-reference: Hebrews 6:10 – “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name.” Cross-reference: Revelation 22:12 – “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me.”

Transition: But there’s a warning in this parable… because not everyone was faithful, here’s the final challenge from the text.

Don’t Waste What God Has Given You (vv. 24-30)

Matthew 25:24–30 ESV

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The third servant comes with excuses. He blames the master, saying he was harsh and unfair. Instead of investing his talent, he hid it out of fear.

Exposition & Context:

The master calls him “wicked and lazy” not because he lost money but because he refused to do anything.

The talent is taken from him and given to the one who already had ten.

Jesus ends with a sobering warning: “Cast the worthless servant into outer darkness.”

Word Study: 'Outer Darkness' (τὸ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον - to skotos to exōteron)

This phrase describes separation from God’s presence, a place of regret and loss—a reference to final judgment.

Jesus is making it clear: wasted opportunities in this life have eternal consequences.

Energetic Transition:

Fear will rob you of your blessing! Fear will make you hold back, sit down, and stay silent when God told you to stand up and move forward!

Look at somebody and tell them: "USE IT BEFORE YOU LOSE IT!"

Use it before you lose it! Serve with your whole heart! Worship with your whole heart! And one day, we’ll hear: "WELL DONE!"

And that brings us to the final question—will you be found faithful?

Conclusion:

This parable teaches us that God entrusts, expects, and evaluates.

What has God put in your hands? Time, gifts, resources, influence?

Are you investing in what God has given you, or are you burying it?

🔥 Hooping Close: I don’t know about you, but when I stand before the Lord, I don’t want Him to call me lazy. I don’t want Him to say I wasted my opportunity. I want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

When Jesus went to Calvary, He gave His all—He didn’t hold anything back! He didn’t bury His assignment, He didn’t let fear stop Him! He stretched out His hands, took the nails, and gave everything to purchase our salvation. How can we give Him anything less?

So I challenge you today: Use it before you lose it! Serve with your whole heart! Love with your whole heart! Worship with your whole heart! And one day, when we stand before the Master, we’ll hear those words: "Well done!"